adj.
- not marked or decorated; bare, empty, or plain.
- not comprehending or reacting:
a blank look.
- complete; absolute:
a blank refusal to discuss the issue.
- used euphemistically in place of an obscene word.
n.
- a space left to be filled in a document.
-
(also blank cartridge)
a cartridge containing gunpowder but no bullet.
- an empty space or period of time:
my mind was a total blank.
- an object with no mark or design on it, in particular a roughly cut disc or block intended for stamping or finishing.
- a dash written instead of a word or letter, especially to avoid using an obscene word.
v.
- make blank or empty.
- Brit. informal deliberately ignore (someone).
- N. Amer. defeat without allowing the opponent to score.
- cut (a metal blank).
Phrase
- draw a blank
elicit no successful response.
Derivative
- blankly adv.
- blankness n.
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘white, colourless’): from OFr. blanc ‘white’, ult. of Gmc origin.